Electrical water-level indicator, recorder, and alarm.



PATENTED JULY 14, 1903. J. R. FLOOD, W. E. SAYER & A. D. CAMPBELL. BLEOTRIGALWATER LEVEL INDICATOR, RECORDER, AND ALARM.

APPLIOATION FILED APB.. Z3, 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented July 14, 1903.

PATENT OEEICE.

JOHN R. FLOOD, VILLIAM E. SAYER, AND ALBERT D. CAMPBELL, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

ELECTRICAL WATER-LEVEL INDICATOR, RECORDER, AND ALARM.

,SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 733,711, dated July 14, 1903.

Application filed April Z3, 1903. Serial No. 153,916. (No model.)

To L7/Z whom it may concern:

le it known that we, JOHN R. FLOOD, lVIL- Linn E. SAYEE, and ALBERT D. CAMPBELL, citizens of the United States, residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of lVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical XVater- Level Indicators,Recorders, and Alarms; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make use of the same. l

This invention, which relates to electrical signaling appliances, contemplates the provi sion of improved means operating in connection with a float to indicate and record the water-level moreparticularlyin steam-boilers, and to actuate an alarm-sign al when the waterlevel approaches the high or the low dangerpoint.

rlhe nature of the invention will be readily comprehended, reference being had to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawin illustrating the invention in its preferred form, it being understood that various modifications may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit of the in vention defined by the concluding claims.

1n the drawings, Figure 1 is a water column equipped with a float and contact-maker embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showing the parts applied to tube adapted for connection with a boiler. Fig. f3 is a front elevation of an indicating and recording appliance forming part of our invention. Fig. Je is a sectional view on line l l of Fig. Figs. 5 and G are respectively enlarged elevation and sectional detailedaviews of a part of the indicating and recording appliance.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 denotes a steam-tight water column or casing, preferably of the cylindrical form shown and connected by pipes 2 3 with the water-holder, which may be a steam-boiler.

4 is a sight water-gage.

Above the casing 1 and communicating therewith by a restricted opening 5 is an eX- tension cylindrical casing in the wall of which is a vertical series of openings filled by plugs 7 7 ot' insulating material, in each of which is fixed a contact S. A circuit wire 9 leads from each contact through the plug 7.

10 is a preferably spherical float, movable in the casing 1 with the rise and fall of the water, and to which is connected a stem 11, leading through the opening 5 into the upper casing 6, the stem carrying at its upper end a contact 12. ln the movement of the float vthe contact 12 is brought successively into engagement with the ii'Xed contacts S S to close an electric circuit, which is normally open. Y A circuit wire 13 leads from the contact 12 to ground.

In Fig. 2 is shown a cylindrical casing or vtube 14, having a screw-threaded lower end 15 Jfor connection with the shell of a steanr boiler and in a restricted openingl in the lower end of which the stem 11 of the iioat 10 moves. The stem is provided with a contact 12, and S S are contacts extending inwardly from the wall of the tube 14.

Each of the wires 9 is independently connected in normally open circuit with a pair of magnets 15 15, the series of pairs of magnets, which correspond in number with `the number of contacts 8 S, beingl supported in v horizontal alinement in the upper end of a case 1G. Above the series or magnets is a rail 17, on which is slidingl-y supported through the medium of grooved wheels 18 1S an armature 19, carrying a pointer 20, which, in connection with a scale 21,indicates the water-level, and also carrying a tracer 22, arranged to record the Varying water-level on a sheet 25, wound on revoluble rolls 24 25.

1n operation the contacts S 8 are successively engaged by the contact on the moving viloat-stem, the separate circuits are established, and the pairs of magnets successively energized as the circuits 'are closed, thereby imparting to the armature a step-by-step movement through the attractive influence on the armature by successively-energized magnets. The pointer 2O and tracer 22, being carried by the armature, respectively indicate and record the waterlevel on the boiler or other waterreservoir, tank, or the like.

To signal the approach of the water to a danger-level, either high or low, there is provided in certain of the circuits an audible sigicc nal, such as the alar1n-bell 26 shown. It will be understood that thc circuits include batteries of the proper strength and that the Wiring is such as to provide anormally open circuit, nwhich is successively closed and opened Yin either the rise or fall of the lloat, and that only one pair of magnets is energized at a time.

The alarm, indicator, and recorder may beV located at any point near to or remote from the boiler, reservoir, or other receptacle, but, preferably, the alarm is located to be near the attendant to insure prompt action in the event of the Water-level reaching a dangerous high or loW point.

XVe claim as our inventionl. In combination, a casing, iioat movable thereinfand carrying a contact, a series ol iixed contacts in the path of the movable contact, and a Water-level indicator' in electric circuit with said contacts consisting of a series of successively-energized magnets, an armature slidably mounted to be moved bythe atn tractive power of said magnets; a pointer carried by the armature, and an indicating-scale in the path of the pointer.

2. Ir combination, a casing, float movable therein and carrying a contact, a series of lixed contacts in the path of the movable contact, and a Water-level recorder in electric circuit with said contacts con sistingof a series of successive]y-energized magnets, an armature slidably mounted to be moved -by the attractive power of said magnets, a tracer carried by the armature, and a movable recording-sheet at said tracer.

3. In combination, a casing, a float movable therein, electric-circuit making and breakin means carried by the'iioat and casing, a series of magnets adapted to be successively energized in the movement of the iioat, a slidablymounted armature arranged to be moved by the energized magnets, and an indicatingscale pointer and a recording-tracer carried by said armature. i

In testimony whereof weV affix our signatures in presence of Ytwo Witnesses.

Jonn R. FLooD. WILLIAM n. sAYER. ALBERT D. CAMPBELL.

Vitncsscs: A. W. VrrrmnsrooN,

E. STANDLEY.V 

